Chesapeake Bay Ferries

Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay region have a rich maritime heritage. Captain John Smith is said to have explored the lower Chesapeake Bay including Tangier Island and the lower part of the Eastern Shore of Virginia in 1608. Since that time, ships of all types have plied the hundreds of inlets, rivers and creeks of the Bay. Probably the most famous and largest of these were the ferries that were owned and operated by the Virginia Ferry Corporation and carried passengers and cars from Cape Charles and Kiptopeke Beach on the lower end of the Eastern Shore to Little Creek, Va located near Cape Henry, Va. Steamers were operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad to ferry freight and passengers between Baltimore, Md and Hampton Roads where trains would then provide the fastest means of moving between cities in the north and south. Prior to the 1940's, the only way for cars and trucks to reach Hampton Roads from the Eastern Shore was to go north through Maryland and then down the western shore of Virginia, a trip that would take two or three days. Following World War II, the Virginia Ferry Corporation began purchasing vessels that could be used to carry both passengers and vehicles across the 20 miles of open water at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. A total of seven ferries were built or purchased from the government and provided a valuable service to the people of the Eastern Shore of Virginia during the 1950's and 60's. The opening of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel in 1964 brought an end to the use of the ferries across the Chesapeake Bay. Some of the Virginia ferries were later used by the State of Delaware for the crossing between Cape May, N.J. and Lewis, Del. and remained in service until recently replaced by more modern vessels. A few of the smaller ferries ended their days as powered barges until they were deemed useless and were sold for scrap.

Motor Vessel Northampton

The Motor Vessel Northampton was a twin screw diesel powered ship built in 1943 as LST #63 (Landing Ship Tank) for service during World War II. The Virginia Ferry Corporation purchased her in 1948 . She was 316 Feet long and continued in service until 1964 when the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel was opened. The Northampton Spent her last years serving as a barge with the Tidewater Towing Corp.

S.S. Delmarva

The S.S. Delmarva was built for the Virginia Ferry Corporation in 1933. Originally 249 Feet long, she was later cut in half and had an additional hull section added to give her a new length of 339 Feet. The Delmarva was powered by two steam engines and served on the Chesapeake Bay corssing until 1964 when she was sold to Delaware for service between Cape May, N.J. and Lewis, Del.

S.S. Princess Anne

The S.S. Princess Anne was built in 1932 for the Virginia Ferry Corporation. Originally 246 Feet long, she was later cut in half and had an additional hull section added to give her a new length of 335 Feet. The Princess Anne was powered by two steam engines and served on the Chesapeake Bay corssing until 1964 when she was sold to Delaware for service between Cape May, N.J. and Lewis, Del.

S.S. Pocahontas

The S.S. Pocahontas was built in 1941 for the Virginia Ferry Corporation. Originally 282 Feet long, she was later cut in half and had an additional hull section added to give her a new length of 358 Feet. The Pocahontas was powered by two steam engines and served on the Chesapeake Bay corssing until 1964 when she was sold to Delaware for service between Cape May, N.J. and Lewis, Del. At one time, the Pocahontas carried a flask containing earth taken from the grave of the Indian Princess Pocahontas in Saint George's Churchyard in Gravesend, England.

S.S.Accomac

The S.S. Accomac began her career as the steamer Virginia Lee shortly after being built in 1928. She was purchased by the US Navy for service in World War II and sold to the Virginia Ferry Corporation in 1951 . She was 291 Feet long ,powered by twin steam engines, (later changed to diesels) and continued in service until 1964 when the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel was opened. The Accomac was being refitted in a Portsmouth shipyard in 1964 when she burned.

Motor Vessel Old Point Comfort

The Motor Vessel Old Point Comfort was a twin screw diesel powered ship built in 1945 as LST #970 (Landing Ship Tank) for service during World War II. The Virginia Ferry Corporation purchased her in 1958 and she was converted for ferry service including having her stern modified for on/off loading of vehicles. She was 305 Feet long and continued in service until 1964 when the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel was opened. The Old Point Comfort served on the Chesapeake Bay corssing until 1964 when she was sold to Delaware for service between Cape May, N.J. and Lewis, Del.

Motor Vessel Virginia Beach

The Motor Vessel Virginia Beach was a twin screw diesel powered ship built in 1944 as LST #510 (Landing Ship Tank) for service during World War II. The Virginia Ferry Corporation purchased her in 1961 . The Virginia Beach was converted for ferry service and had her stern modified for on/off loading of vehicles as did the Old Point Comfort. She was 327 Feet long and continued in service until 1964 when the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel was opened.

Steamship Virginia Lee

The Steamer Virginia Lee operated on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and carried passengers between the ports of Cape Charles, Baltimore and Hampon Roads.